In this article:
- Helpless after repeated failed attempts
- Pressured by timelines, family expectations, or age
- Grief-stricken after a miscarriage or failed treatment
- Confused about options like IVF, surrogacy, or donor conception
- Strained in your relationship due to differing coping styles
What is fertility counselling?
Fertility counselling is a specialised form of emotional support that helps you navigate the psychological and social challenges that often arise when trying to conceive.It’s not just a safe space to talk, it’s also a structured process led by a qualified professional, often someone trained in both mental health and reproductive health.
You don’t need to wait for a breaking point to seek it. In fact, many people benefit from starting fertility counselling before or during treatment, as a preventive and empowering step.
What can fertility counselling help you with?
Fertility counselling focuses on situations where your reproductive path intersects with emotional distress. Some examples include:- Receiving an infertility diagnosis
- Processing options such as IUI, IVF, surrogacy, or adoption
- Navigating decision-making around donor eggs, sperm, or embryos
- Coping with the emotional side effects of fertility medications and procedures
- Dealing with relationship strain or intimacy concerns
- Exploring identity and self-worth issues arising from infertility
- Handling social pressures or cultural stigma
- Preparing for life after treatment, whether it ends in parenthood or not
How is fertility counselling different from traditional therapy?
While both involve psychological support, there are key differences that set fertility counselling apart:| Aspect | Fertility Counselling | Traditional Therapy |
| Focus | Reproductive health and fertility-related emotions | General mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression, trauma) |
| Duration | Short or medium-term, often aligned with treatment cycles | Can be long-term or ongoing |
| Training | May involve expertise in reproductive medicine, ethics, and counselling | Broader psychological training, not always fertility-specific |
| Goals | Coping with fertility outcomes, informed decision-making, managing treatment-related stress | Mental health improvement in broader life areas |
Is it only for those undergoing IVF or IUI?
Absolutely not. Fertility counselling is helpful for anyone facing reproductive decisions or distress, including:- Those with unexplained infertility
- People exploring egg freezing or fertility preservation
- Single parents by choice
- LGBTQ+ individuals or couples navigating family planning
- People considering donor conception or surrogacy
- Couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss
- Those deciding whether to pause or stop treatment
Signs you may benefit from fertility counselling
Consider taking help from a fertility counsellor if:- You feel overwhelmed by your fertility journey
- You have trouble coping with failed treatments
- Your relationship is under strain due to fertility stress
- You’re unsure about next steps and feel stuck
- Social interactions, especially around pregnancy or babies, are becoming hard to manage
- You're experiencing grief, guilt, isolation, or anxiety
- You need a non-judgmental space to process decisions
Who provides fertility counselling?
Fertility counselling in India is usually offered by:- Licensed clinical psychologists trained in reproductive mental health
- Counsellors attached to fertility clinics
- Mental health professionals certified in infertility counselling
A good fertility counsellor will work alongside your medical treatment, not separate from it.
Infertility is often misunderstood. Social stigma, gender expectations, and pressure from extended families make the journey lonelier.
You may also struggle with guilt, shame, or secrecy, all of which counselling helps unpack and challenge.
In a setting where fertility is often treated only as a biological issue, counselling ensures your emotional voice is also heard.
FAQs on Fertility Counselling: What It Is, and How It Differs From Therapy
- Is fertility counselling only for women?
No. Fertility affects everyone involved, and counselling is beneficial for partners, spouses, and even family members. Many clinics encourage couples counselling to support shared decision-making. - Is counselling expensive?
Some clinics include counselling as part of their fertility services. Others may charge separately. Many offer sliding-scale fees or shorter packages depending on your needs. - How many sessions are needed?
It depends on your situation. Some people feel better after 2–3 sessions. Others may continue throughout their treatment cycles. Your counsellor will work with you to decide what’s best. - Will this delay my fertility treatment?
No. Counselling can often be done in parallel with treatment and may even help you cope better with timelines, medications, or unexpected outcomes.
